Successful Applicants Will Develop Youth Programs and Learn Leadership Skills

Providence Community Library (PCL) is recruiting nine high school student interns, aged 14 – 18, to create compelling youth programs, mentor younger children and serve on PCL’s Teen Advisory Council. One successful applicant will serve at each of PCL’s nine locations from January to June 2016 and will receive a monthly stipend. Interns will lead programs for upper elementary, middle, and high school students. The teen development program is being funded by a $15,000 grant from the Otto H. York Foundation.

Successful applicants will be responsible for presenting two, nine-week programs between January and June 2016. Teens will work for approximately 4 hours per week (100 hours in total), attend one monthly Teen Advisory Council meeting and will receive $750, paid in monthly installments. Interns will be mentored by a librarian at the relevant PCL location and by the Youth Services Coordinator. Training and support will be provided for all participants.

These internships are a great chance for high school students in Providence to get paid and make a difference in their community. Successful applicants will do the following:

• Share what they know - Minecraft, movie making, photography, visual arts, dance - the list is not exhaustive. If they have a passion to share, PCL is interested!

• Take a class or workshop for free with a local arts or tech organization in a subject area that interests them;

• Learn from a mentor who will help the intern develop  skills and build program content;

• Build  a resume;

• Make decisions about how libraries serve youth, develop leadership skills and work together with other teens.

The Rhode Island based Otto H. York Foundation’s mission is to help young people develop as creative thinkers and doers and to encourage them to make their mark on the world. The Foundation does this   by working with community partners like PCL who activate the imagination of young people and support them as they envision and define their futures.

Candidates should give completed applications to a librarian at any PCL location or email it to Cheryl Space cspace@provcomlib.org (link sends e-mail) by January 7, 2016. Interviews will begin the week of January 4, 2016.  Successful candidates will commence their Internships the week of January 11, 2016, and continue until June 17, 2016.

For more information contact Cheryl Space, Youth Services Coordinator atcspace@provcomlib.org (link sends e-mail)or call 401-467-2700 x1616.